The copywriter who thought he could

One way or another I write pretty much every day of the year, even if it’s just a page in my diary.

When I work of course, I need to be – and am – very productive.

I’m fairly convinced that all this practice has helped me get better at what I do, but even so I’d describe my skills as workman-like rather than excellent.

Now these are maybe not the words you’d expect to hear from someone who hopes you’ll buy his book at the end of the month.

But my bigger point is that I think it’s important to be comfortable with who you are.

Who I am is an ex-advertising copywriter who, through his own struggles with depression, stumbled upon a way of supporting others with regular boosts that hopefully feel neither too patronising, nor too unrealistic.

People have told me that receiving my moodnudges is like getting emails from a friend, someone you cares and wants to gently help you, while also knowing first-hand what it’s like to deal with that damned black dog now and then.

The nudges in “Nudge Your Way To Happiness” are a little different from those you’re used to in my emails.

For a start they’re tailored in such a way that you’ll read a nudge that’s explicitly designed to relate to the way you currently feel.

They’re also accompanied by a couple of questions, which the book asks you to answer. These are designed to help you put the nudge into action.

Finally, each of the nudges is presented in the style I probably know best, taking a form which is similar to a newspaper or magazine ad, with a headline and image that aim to sum up the broad idea behind the nudge.

I think they work and in fact already have good evidence that they do from our tests last summer.

It’s taken me a long time in life to accept that I am who I am.

Not Charles Dickens.

Not Sigmund Freud.

I’m just copywriter who understands a bit about psychology.

And I want to do all I can to help as many as I can.

On the whole I’m comfortable with that.

Today perhaps you too will persuade yourself to be more accepting of who you are, because you know what?

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12 thoughts on “The copywriter who thought he could”

If I were you, I’d be pretty satisfied at having achieved both Moodnudges AND a book in print! Yes, I know there’s always “the other side” but to us Moodnudgers, the name Jon Cousins will always conjure up an extremely gifted chap who wrote some great blogs and seemed to put into words what we needed to hear. More importantly, who shared many of the feelings we had and cheerily responded with quirky anecdotes and amusing turns of phrases that couldn’t fail to make you smile. That’s my view, anyway. Big thanks, Jon . Take a bow! All the best with book sales, too.

Jon, I can so relate to all aspects of this post. Sometimes I think I might be yr big sister! Keep on keeping on, you are doing so well. You help us while u help you. Pretty damn smart, I say! In the best possible way.

Well Jon, you’ve done a lot more for me than either Sigmund Freud or Charles Dickens ever did, so I’m eternally grateful to you. I think your a genius, with the skill of your writing and you’ve helped improve my mental health and feeling of connectedness so I can’t thank you enough for that. BW J.

Sally puts it really well! Good luck with the book launch. If anyone can reach out and support people to be independently comfortable with themselves it is Jon. So many aspects of life see attempts to take over and control. It is refreshing to find Moodnudges which empowers, enables and supports. Thank you 🙂

I just want to wish you all the very best with your book. We blog on similar topics and I very much like the gentle, humorous approach you take—which is at the same time, encouraging and empathic.
May your book soar in the bestseller lists!

This brought a tear to my eye and swell in my chest. I have been trying to come to terms with my own desire to be and do something extraordinary as a payoff for feeling all this self doubt and depression. Trying to convince ourselves that we are a misunderstood artist seems to be a common defence mechanism against never getting better or never feeling truly on an even keel.

What I do know is that from my first encounter with you on Moodscope, I respected and admired what you brought to the table and I am still excited to see what you do next. If ever I can feel that someone truly feels that way about me then perhaps I won’t need to have have the desperate desire to be the next Charles Dickens or Susie Orbach either.

Thank you for being in my life! Don’t let yourself give so much that it ever feels like a burden.

Thank you for your “nudge” today Jon. You have no idea how much I needed to read those words today. Currently having another wobble & leaning heavily on your “nudges” and Moodscope to help me manage it. Moodscope brought me back from the brink several years ago and for that I will always be grateful to you. I really hope your book has similar success. I will be ordering a copy for myself and a friend in need as soon as it is available. Thanks again.